Sunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel) (The Hunger Games) Hardcover – March 18, 2025

A Triumphant Return to Panem – Suzanne Collins Does It Again!As a longtime fan of The Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping exceeded all my expectations and pulled me right back into the world of Panem with the same intensity, heart, and thought-provoking depth that made the original books unforgettable. Suzanne Collins has crafted another masterpiece, blending gripping action, layered characters, and rich storytelling into a novel that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.The story dives into the dark complexities behind the 50th Hunger Games, offering a powerful look at survival, rebellion, and the human spirit. Collins’ writing is as sharp and evocative as ever, delivering a narrative that’s impossible to put down. Fans of the original trilogy will appreciate the clever connections and emotional beats that deepen our understanding of the world and its characters.Sunrise on the Reaping is not just a worthy addition to the Hunger Games universe—it’s a must-read for anyone who has ever been captivated by the power, pain, and resilience woven throughout Panem’s history. I absolutely loved it!

# Sunrise on the Reaping - Review"Sunrise on the Reaping" opens on the morning of the reaping ceremony where Haymitch becomes the tribute from District 12. What stands out most in this novel is the thoughtful character development of Haymitch, allowing readers to understand the man who later mentors Katniss and Peeta.The narrative structure follows a familiar path similar to the first Hunger Games book—progressing from the Reaping ceremony to training, then to the arena, and finally to the aftermath of the Second Quarter Quell (the 50th Hunger Games). As a follow-up to "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," this book effectively demonstrates President Snow's increasing brutality and offers insight into how he maintains his iron grip on power.What's particularly noteworthy is how Collins reveals the origins of events that later unfold in "The Hunger Games," "Catching Fire," and "Mockingjay." The author subtly illustrates how the seeds of a dictator's defeat are planted long before they bear fruit—a compelling theme throughout the series.This entry stands as one of the most compelling in the series, largely due to the deeper understanding it provides of Haymitch's character. Collins once again excels at demonstrating the substantial human cost of war, a consistent and powerful theme across her work.

The recap of Haymitch’s games has always been one of my favorite parts of Catching Fire and I always thought it would make a fantastic story on its own, so I was thrilled when I found out this book was coming. It was a ton of fun to get a glimpse back in time, not only at the Second Quarter Quell but at the world of Panem at large with all the familiar characters and references. The games themselves were brutal and it’s no wonder Haymitch turned out the way he did in the main books.I’m not sure if I enjoyed this one quite as much as the trilogy, but I liked it better than Ballad. I want to go reread the trilogy now and look for all the ways Collins tied details together. Like the trilogy, I think this book will have a lot of reread value.

Another amazing glimpse into the world of Panem and the background to a fan-favorite character. It maintains the same poignant and solemn tone of the other HG books, but manages to not seem terribly repetitive. While it’s written in first-person perspective like the original trilogy, Collins is able to give Haymitch his own distinct voice and personality. Anyone who has read the original trilogy knows the gist of how his journey goes, especially the ending, but the book still keeps the reader on their toes as to how the story will twist and turn. We see other well-loved characters make cameos, and our heart aches for them all over again. I found myself rooting for characters who I knew wouldn’t have happy endings, despite myself, and read the whole thing in one six hour session. Heartbreaking, inspirational, tragic. A look into how Katniss’ story could have gone without the help of people who surrounded her, and a glimpse into the twisted past of one of those people. A must-read for any Hunger Games fan.

“I love you like all-fire.”Y’all! I don’t know what I expected but it was not this. I have always LOVED Haymitch. This book only makes me love him more.“They will not use our tears for their entertainment.”“You’re my hero. I hope I’m just like you when I grow up. Oh, wait a minute, that won’t be happening.”“You have to be a special kind of trouble to get a one, am I right?”After reading this book, I now understand the way Haymitch talks to and treats Katniss and Peeta, and his actions toward the Capitol.There are so many great characters (many from books 1-3), page-turning, heart-pounding action, twist and turns, and Capitol evil. Oh the Epilogue!! 😢Content notes:lots of violence/blood and d*ath, mild language, nons*xual n*dity, alcohol use by adults, mention of a g@y couple